July 6, 2011
Moroccan constitutional referendum recognizes Jewish community
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A national referendum in Morocco approved a new constitution that incorporates democratic reforms and recognizes the nationalities that make up the population, including the Jewish community.
The constitution calls Morocco “A sovereign Moslem State, committed to the ideals of openness, moderation, tolerance and dialogue to foster mutual understanding among all civilizations; A Nation whose unity is based on the fully endorsed diversity of its constituents: Arabic, Amazigh, Hassani, Sub-Saharan, African, Andalusian, Jewish and Mediterranean components.”
The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations praised King Mohammed VI of Morocco on the results of the July 1 referendum approving the new constitution.
In a letter to Serge Berdugo, president of the Moroccan Jewish community, Presidents Conference Chairman Richard Stone and Executive Vice Chairman Malcolm Hoenlein said the Presidents Conference has enjoyed a close working relationship with the king, as it did with the late King Hassan II, and noted that the group visited Morocco in 2004 and the leadership continues to exchange visits regularly.
“In a tumultuous region,” the letter said, “Morocco remains an island of stability.”
